Saints Honored on August 1

St. Alphonsus de Liguori founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, popularly known as the Redemptorists. St. Alphonsus was noted for his writings on moral, theological, and ascetical subjects (died 1787 A.D.).

The Holy Machabees is a group of Jews executed for resisting the imposition of Greek paganism upon them. Some of them are mentioned in 2 Machabees 6-7 in the Old Testament. Their remains are enshrined in the Church of St. Peter in Chains in Rome (died ca. 160 B.C.).

Sts. Wisdom, Faith, Hope and Charity. St. Wisdom was a widow in Rome with three daughters: Faith, Hope and Charity. Her three daughters were martyred. Faith (12 years old) was scourged and beheaded. Hope (10 years) and Charity (9 years) were both beheaded after miraculously emerging unharmed from a furnace. Their mother died three days later after praying in their graves (2nd century).

St. Almedha belonged to the nobility of Wales. Early in life she dedicated herself to God. When a prince wanted her in marriage, she fled and escaped to many villages - all of which refused her refuge. When St. Almedha's suitor found her, he cut off her head. A spring of water was said to appear where her head had fallen (6th century).

St. Ethelwold was mainly responsible for the restoration of monasticism in England. Consecrated to the episcopate, he restored monasteries destroyed by the Danes, and also rebuilt convents in his diocese. He is one of the many who translated the rule of St. Benedict of Nursia (died ca. 984 A.D.).

St. Julian Peter Eymard is the founder of a congregation of priests and brothers, a religious community of nuns, a league and a confraternity - all of whom are devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. He is noted to have written several books on the Eucharist (died 1868 A.D.).

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